Should It Matter That Barack Obama Is Black?
Let me get this statement out of the way first: This is not in any way meant to be a racist post, against blacks OR whites. I want to be clear on that. I'm just interested.
I'm not disputing that for African Americans, to have a black president for the first time is a helluva big thing, and proves that civil rights have come so far... but I guess I'm just hoping that Obama was elected on his policies, not just because it's a "First"? But I've got to admit too, being neither American or coloured, I still feel a bit of pride and happiness that he got elected... without having any real knowledge of his policies - up until yesterday, I probably couldn't even have told you if he was Democrat or Republican.
I don't even really know where this is coming from... I just started thinking about this and then some other "Firsts" that I have yet to experience:
- First change of Monarch
- First change of currency (I was born post decimalisation)
- First woman president of America
There are probably others.
I'm not disputing that for African Americans, to have a black president for the first time is a helluva big thing, and proves that civil rights have come so far... but I guess I'm just hoping that Obama was elected on his policies, not just because it's a "First"? But I've got to admit too, being neither American or coloured, I still feel a bit of pride and happiness that he got elected... without having any real knowledge of his policies - up until yesterday, I probably couldn't even have told you if he was Democrat or Republican.
I don't even really know where this is coming from... I just started thinking about this and then some other "Firsts" that I have yet to experience:
- First change of Monarch
- First change of currency (I was born post decimalisation)
- First woman president of America
There are probably others.
1 comment:
I think what the American public actually voted for was 'change'. Sounds simple but I do believe America was starting to grow weary of what was happening in their world, economy, Iraq, enviroment etc. and actually made a statement by voting for Obama.
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